TRANSMISSION:
• The Plains & Eastern transmission project faces numerous hurdles, including executing “significant” service agreements with utilities in the Southeast U.S. (RTO Insider)
• Debates over eminent domain in Arkansas and elsewhere loom for the planned transmission project. (EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES: Florida Gov. Rick Scott authorizes a statewide vote that would exempt business properties from taxes on renewable energy systems. (WUSF Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: It’s time to register for WINDPOWER 2016 – the wind energy industry’s largest annual conference. This year, the conference will be held from May 23-26 in New Orleans. Register here. ***

COAL:
• In calling for the maximum fine and prison term, federal prosecutors detail mine disasters that occurred under the watch of convicted coal baron Don Blankenship. (Corporate Crime Reporter)
• After declining for about 12 years, the labor productivity of mines in Central Appalachia improves as operators adjust to market challenges. (SNL)
• As Kentucky fights rules on mercury emissions from power plants, it finds more of it in local fish. (WFPL Public Radio)
• Coal use ends at an Alabama power plant switching to natural gas. (Alabama NewsCenter)

FRACKING: In a new report, the U.S. Geological Study forecasts risks from earthquakes related to oil and gas activity for parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. (ClimateProgress)

EFFICIENCY: Orlando establishes a property-assessed clean energy program for residents and businesses. (Orlando Business Journal)

CLIMATE:
• New Orleans’ city planners struggle to communicate the impacts of rising sea levels to the most at-risk neighborhoods. (ClimateWire)
• What Florida’s ancient past says about today’s rising sea-levels there. (The Washington Post)

OIL & GAS: Authorities move to clean up an unknown amount of oil which spilled into a Louisiana bayou. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

SOLAR:
• A Florida company expands to meet growing inquiries from homeowners and businesses for qualified installers. (South Florida Business Journal)
• A ceremony is set for next month to spotlight a large solar system at the GM plant in Kentucky that assembles its Corvettes. (Kentucky New Era)
• A new report makes the long-term case for commercial solar energy systems in South Carolina. (Solar Industry)
•A University of Kentucky team gears up to compete in a solar-car competition this summer. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

PIPELINES: A bill in South Carolina aims to clarify that private companies cannot seize property by eminent-domain unless they are regulated utilities. (The State)

ACADEMIA: Duke Energy Renewables funds three faculty-led research projects at George Washington University aimed at clean energy. (The GW Hatchet)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Solar Power Southeast, May 25-26 in Atlanta. This year’s event will include educational sessions as well as a completely sold out exhibit floor. Get a 15% discount with code SPSE16SACE. ***

UTILITIES: A Mississippi bill setting limits on the state’s regulations of electric co-ops is one step from becoming law. (SunHerald)

COMMENTARY:
• Don’t let Anson County, North Carolina become a “sacrifice zone” for Duke’s coal ash. (Anson Record)
• A first-person account of why a fourth-generation coal miner from southwest Virginia quit to advocate for sustainable living practices. (Yes Magazine)
• North Carolina officials should heed their health experts’ warnings about water quality near coal ash ponds. (Winston-Salem Journal)
• Five reasons raising fixed fees on home solar systems is unfair. (Clean Technica)